Images released on 21st September 2021 which are of Maxar Technologies also uncover a test failure of the Russian RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile at Plesetsk Cosmodrome in north Russia.
There is also in the images a large 60metre crater at the launch silo along with new damage to the previously clean area shown in the earlier images taken on the same month.
Military analysts, however, are still at a loss whether the liquid fueled sarmat went down after the actual launch or whether it was during the period the missile was to undergo defueling.
“As far as I can understand, all signs point to a failed test. It is a large cavity in the earth. It is apparent, There was some violent event with the missile and the Silo,” said Pavel Podvig, a Geneva-based analyst and head of the Russian Nuclear Forces project.
Why has the Russian defence ministry who has not made any official statements about any Sarmat tests planned in the next few days not been forthcoming?
The RS-28 Sarmat or Satan II is said by the Russian media to have a range of 18,000 km (11,000 miles) and has a launch weight of more than 208 tonnes and can carry and deliver up to 16 MIRV warheads and some hypersonic glide vehicleAvangard among other burdens.
